PDF Band Music Blog » intermediate band http://www.pdfbandmusic.com/blog A place for your comments about beginning band, intermediate band, concert band, sheet music, band music Fri, 07 May 2010 03:36:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Opus in Pastel http://www.pdfbandmusic.com/blog/sheet-music/opus-in-pastel http://www.pdfbandmusic.com/blog/sheet-music/opus-in-pastel#comments Fri, 07 May 2010 03:36:00 +0000 admin http://www.pdfbandmusic.com/blog/sheet-music/opus-in-pastel You would  think that writing a composition for the young band would be the easiest thing for a composer.  I’ve found that writing for young band (middle school or small high school) to be interesting and difficult.  The difficulty is writing fluidly and creatively with a smaller musical  pallet.  The pallet for writing at this performance level is limited to less complex rhythmic patterns and  key signatures; as well as concerns for instrument ranges.   Interestingly, I think I found the right mixture of elements in “Opus in Pastel” to make this composition artistically and musically pleasing for performers and audiences.  It is ballad which features the deep resonant sound of the clarinet along with French horn stating the main theme.  The theme repeats in first section and is joined by a soaring counter-melody.  The trumpets enter in the B section with a new theme and  as this section crescendos there is and a key change.  The return of the A theme is stated in the trumpet section.  As the song concludes the various motifs are sounded again throughout the band.  The ending chords with chime accompaniment are truly lovely sounding.  I hope “Opus in Pastel” is a success.  It is a delightful composition. opusThumb Opus in Pastel

]]> http://www.pdfbandmusic.com/blog/sheet-music/opus-in-pastel/feed 0 My First Sheet Music http://www.pdfbandmusic.com/blog/sheet-music/my-first-sheet-music http://www.pdfbandmusic.com/blog/sheet-music/my-first-sheet-music#comments Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:10:06 +0000 admin http://www.pdfbandmusic.com/blog/?p=39 My First Sheet Music 

This beginning band sheet music was specifically written to supplement  Essential Elements 2000 method book that my beginning bands are using. In attempts to prepare my students for intermediate and advanced bands, I not only use the method book but band music as well. “My First Sheet Music” was written with the skills students have by mid-year in mind. Ranges, rhythms, expressive qualities and other elements that concert bands use are reinforced.  My students really enjoy playing “My First Sheet Music” because they find it challenging yet playable. It gives my students a sense of accomplishement when they can play it well.

Tom Donaldson

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